Regulatory Background

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorized Texas to develop and implement a Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("TPDES") program, including Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System ("MS4") storm water permits, on September 14, 1998. EPA Region 6 remains the permitting authority for some existing Phase I MS4 Storm Water discharge permits until their respective expiration dates are reached. After the effective permit expiration date, then the TCEQ assumes the role of TPDES permitting authority. In fact, all Phase II MS4 permit-related information including monitoring data (if applicable) and annual reports should be directed to TCEQ.

TPDES Storm Water permits will be developed for medium and large (Phase I) MS4s as their NPDES permits expire. The TCEQ has designated the regulated small (Phase II) MS4s and issued its final storm water discharge general permit for these entities in August 2007. The TCEQ General Permit to Discharge to waters of Texas (TXR040000) is under provisions of Section 402 of the Clean Water Act and Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code. The general permit provides authorization for point source discharges of storm water and certain non-storm water discharges from MS4s to surface waters in Texas.

The District's Stormwater Management Plan ("SWMP") is organized around the following six major storm water pollution prevention and control sections:

Public Education and Outreach

Public Involvement / Participation

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention

Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control

Post-Construction Runoff Control

Each of the sections describes minimum control measure (MCM) requirements, existing conditions, and the proposed implementation plan that will be accomplished over the five-year permit term period. The implementation plan will be developed to identify activities required to meet each measurable goal. Progress toward measurable goals will be evaluated annually in a Storm Water Management Plan ("SWMP") summary report.

The District's SWMP was developed for the purpose of describing the minimum procedures and practices the District uses to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the storm drainage systems in the District boundaries. This SWMP reflects the recent requirements of the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) program administered under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The SWMP was developed to facilitate compliance according to 40 CFR 122.26(b)(8), Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), which pertains to a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains). The SWMP presents a discussion of potential pollution sources resulting from

District-related practices and activities and identifies storm water management controls and best management practices (BMPs) to eliminate or reduce pollutants entering the District's MS4. This SWMP has been prepared in accordance with requirements of the EPA's Storm Water Phase II final rule for small MS4's.